Translator: Wan ED/PR: Personal Ghost
12. Team Play (2)
The dungeon boss Enemy approached us.
‘The air is heavy…!’
R++ rank virtual mutant Enemy, Octocaurpus.
The category ‘virtual’ meant that the origin of the Enemy was a simulation.
The species ‘mutant’ was because of its abnormal development due to the dungeon cave.
The mutation had already progressed to the point where it was difficult to recognize its original form, but if I had to compare, it closely resembled an enormous octopus.
It was an Enemy which had many arms to attack, faithfully covered its weakness and held advantage over many opponents.
“Get to your positions!”
At my shout, everyone scattered to their points.
Currently, among the six people, only Hwang Jiho possessed derivative skill.
But, Hwang Jiho was hiding his skills.
So there was a high possibility that the fight would be prolonged, because no one had a skill worthy of consideration as a one-punch-kill for R++ rank.
‘Even so, if I aim for a weakness, I could finish it in no time.’
The weakness of Enemies in this wet cave dungeon was electricity.
The one who could apply damage most effectively while aiming for this weakness was me.
‘But the boss Enemy won’t be so simple like the Enemies which appeared before.’
This time, I was thinking about piercing a vital spot with a magic one step higher than the electro javelins — The electro hammers.
However, worthy of the Boss Enemy, it was hiding a vital spot behind its arms, defending it as if its arms were armor with sealing effect.
‘There is a way for the kids from our class to break it…!’
The sealing armor which was protecting Boss Enemy Octocaurpus’s weakness had five layers.
“Hahahaha.”
“… Hwang Jiho, you’re creepy.[1]”
Hwang Jiho was openly fooling around, but with Han Yi’s assistance, their Taehokwon combo broke two armor layers anyway.
“Hyodon, let’s finish it!”
“Uh, ah. President, I’ll help!”
The two layers each respectively broke thanks to Maeng Hyodon and Kim Yuri.
Their cooperation was a bit stiff, but it was a skill worthy of Kim Yuri who was a Player keeping pace with balance-breakers like Maeng Hyodon and An Dain.
“Do–Done…!”
The last one remaining was destroyed by Lee Lena’s Whip Martial Arts with assistance of Sawol Seeum, who also kept monitoring.
After checking if every layer was destroyed, Sawol Seeum shouted:
“Armor destruction complete!”
Powerful magic demands high concentration and longer casting time.
I was casting and calculating mana operation formula while taking into account the distance between me and the Boss Enemy.
Seconds after the armor was completely destroyed, the casting was finished.
“Fulgureus Marcus!”
Paaa—
Above the rod, raised high, five electro hammers appeared.
“The scale of this magic is bigger than before! Everyone step back a little more!”
At Sawol Seeum’s words, all of the kids retreated further away from me.
The moment when the Boss Enemy was about to move towards the children.
Baang—!
Following the movement of my rod, the five hammers slammed into Octocaurpus’s weak spot.
It didn’t turn to ash immediately like the small mobs, but the Boss Enemy struggled at first and then gradually collapsed.
“It fell down!”
“Its HP fell to 0! It’ll dissipate soon.”
Paaa—
As Lee Lena said, the Boss Enemy, whose HP became zero, disappeared in particles of light.
The Enemies currently remaining in the simulated dungeon were 0.
We successfully cleared the dungeon with as little force as possible.
“Wow! Clear window!”
“Oh, it opens in a simulation like this?”
A hologram opened before each of us.
[Simulation cleared! Clear time: 7 minutes 45 seconds.]
Cheers rang out.
“Less than eight minutes…!”
“Cheers!”
“Clear!”
“Wow, whoa! We truly broke it fast!”
The seven people of the 1st year class 0 took turns to highfive each other amidst cheers.
By the time when all highfives were finished, the dungeon itself was torn down.
The floor and walls covered in otherworldly metal and simulator devices started to appear in our vision.
We were safely back in the gym.
“Great job.”
Ham Geun-hyeong, who had been watching us through the monitor, opened his mouth.
“It’s the first time I saw guys who cleared their first team-play lesson within 10 minutes. It’s the first time I see kids like you.”
It was a line that I heard during the first lesson.
However, unlike that time, his grim face was smiling slightly.
‘Seeing Ham Geun-hyeong’s face, my thoughts seemed to be correct.’
This team play lesson’s goal wasn’t a simple clear.
The goal was to clear it with the least power in the shortest time possible.
The number of consumable items used: 0.
The number of people who used a Gwangrim: 0.
The number of injuries: 0.
The goal was achieved.
“Everyone did well. It seems my intentions were read well. In fact, the difficulty of this dungeon wasn’t that high. However if everyone tried to divide their merits ‘equally’, the clear would take a very long time.”
Most Enemies have a weakness.
The team play was an ability to support a colleague who can deal the damage most effectively for the quickest conquest.
If Enemies’ weakness was the wind element, Sawol Seeum would be a center, if it was bludgeoning damage, Maeng Hyodon, Han Yi or Hwang Jiho.
If slashing damage was a weakness, Kim Yuri.
It was a small possibility, but if it was a dungeon heavily centered on traps, it would be most effective to design a strategy with Lee Lena as the center.
Thanks to Use of Everything, it was possible for me to take the main role every time, but there may be times when I would be pushed back if we calculate only by the special attributes attack’s level.
“You had made a plan with Jo Uisin, who possessed the most effective skill for the conquest, as center and played into each other’s strengths, and then you faithfully followed it. You cleared the dungeon in the way optimal for the shortest clear. The most important thing in otherworldly conquest is this type of team play. Keep it in mind for the future.”
Ham Geun-hyeong finished the general review and started an individual evaluation.
“First, Jo Uisin. You came up with the plan and calmly casted and destroyed your opponents even in front of Enemies. Excellent job.”
After me was Han Yi and Hwang Jiho.
“The two Taehokwon users, Han Yi and Hwang Jiho’s combo play. The combination seems to work well. However, Hwang Jiho, you’re fooling around too much. You know what I mean, right? And Han Yi needs to try to match Hwang Jiho’s movements. You will have more time to look around.”
I guess Hwang Jiho was caught playing.
Because he was more interested in observing how well Han Yi can use Taehokwon than knocking down Enemies.
After them was Kim Yuri and Maeng Hyodon’s turn.
“Kim Yuri and Maeng Hyodon’s combination isn’t bad either. You both possess great attack power, so keep it up in the future. And Kim Yuri, you still don’t seem very familiar with Enemies. Train in the simulator. Maeng Hyodon, you need to be a bit calmer. You know the state of your body, right? And make some eye contact with your classmates, you will be with them for the next year.”
It seemed that Maeng Hyodon still wasn’t accustomed to Kim Yuri.
And he still has symptoms of recovery item addiction, so I hope he minds his injuries a little.
“Sawol Seeum, Lee Lena. You two performed your monitoring role well. Are you short of Enemy capture practice? Sawol Seeum, your help should come a bit faster. Lee Lena, focus on improving your physical strength and power.”
The seven people’s individual evaluation ended.
But…
‘I was the only one he had no comments for.’
I waited because I was wondering if he could give me any more advice.
“That’s it for today’s lesson. Talk with each other for a remaining time and have an introspection and review time. That’s all. You worked hard.”
The lesson ended much earlier than usual.
And I received only praises in the end.
After Ham Geun-hyeong turned around and disappeared, all remaining six gazes gathered on me.
“As expected from Unknown Supernova. You received only praises.”
“Vice president, you’re pretty good.”
“Yes…! I’ll also work hard to be like Uisin during the next team play!”
It seemed that Ham Geun-hyeong turned a blind eye to me, because I was a strategist.
But it was as if I didn’t make any mistakes.
Those kind kids were busy painting my face gold without an ounce of envy or jealousy.
I hope they will stop.
“Hahahahaha!”
I was left embarrassed and Hwang Jiho was laughing so much I wondered what he was so happy about.
I hoped that damn guy would play and laugh a bit more properly in the future.
“Let’s eat lunch today together! And do reviews then!”
Everyone agreed with Kim Yuri’s suggestion.
The seven people of the 1st year class 0 moved together to the 1st year cafeteria and then spent an hour doing a review of today’s first team play lesson.
We didn’t finish talking while eating lunch, so we went on a walk, while continuing the conversation.
‘It’s more like flower viewing than a review meeting.’
It was the time when cherry blossoms started to fully bloom.
We watched cherry blossoms while continuing the conversation.
The topic didn’t end, but our eyes didn’t grow bored.
Following the road, not only were cherry blossoms blooming, but at the cultivated flower beds of the sidewalk, there were also blooming forsythias, moss phlox, daisies, daffodils, kerrias, etc.
The beauty of all other flowers didn’t lose to cherry blossoms.
“I think I can guess who Ham Geun-hyeong is going to recommend…”
As we were getting ready to go to our elected classes, I heard Hwang Jiho mumble something ominous with sparkling eyes.
Recommend?
There were a few things that came to mind, but I decided to ignore it.
In the meantime, the class bell rang.
“Today’s afternoon class bell was prepared by our club!”
The class bell was an election song as before.
The campaign song, which was used in the previous presidential election, was played as a string quartet composed of two violins, one viola and one cello.
How could an election song even sound so sentimental?
I guess a master performer cannot be hindered by a song.
“I will also participate in creating a class bell sound source some day! I’ll work hard.”
Everyone in the 1st year class 0 decided to support Lee Lena’s brilliant aspiration.
If a Player has talent, their ability to learn is a few times better than an ordinary person.
If Lee Lena, who held a violin for the first time, will work hard, her performance may be worth using as a class bell source next year or even faster, the next semester.
We finished our short flower viewing and then dispersed while listening to the class bell.
***
After classes.
I arrived at the Newspaper Clubroom with Hwang Jiho as usual.
“Praise me!”
Mun Saeron who lost to the culprit behind the clock tower, and then even lost to her fear of ghost stories, made a triumphant expression.
“I! Won an interview with Yeom Junyeol!”
“Hoh, congrats.”
“Aren’t you lying? Senior Red Dragon doesn’t usually accept interviews.”
Mun Saeron opened a hologram with a half-written interview article and a photo of Yeom Junyeol she had personally taken.
The 1st year Newspaper Club kids in the room let out shouts of admiration.
“I also thought I would just get rejected when I went to try, but he gave an ‘OK’? Instead, he said to tell him whenever something interesting happens! He wasn’t at school during March, so he is curious about news.”
Wasn’t an interview just a bait to catch an informant?
Yeom Junyeol is searching for Red Wall Thief.
He already talked with Lee Lena and Sawol Seeum, so he might had guessed that Red Wall Thief is at Eungwang School, maybe even related to the 1st year class 0.
Because it was a fact that I helped those two people at the Fantasy Auction.
‘Mun Saeron has wide feet and bright ears[2]. She would serve as an excellent informant. Yeom Junyeol chose well.’
Mun Saeron had a role of an informant even in the game.
But she is a scaredy-cat, so she won’t be of any help with the investigation of ghost stories.
Anyway, Mun Saeron was the last freshman member of the club to finish the writing task with her article about Yeom Junyeol’s interview.
To receive a confirmation from the Newspaper Club’s president, all 1st year members moved together to the space used jointly by the 1st, 2nd and 3rd years.
“Teacher Jegal Jaegeol-nim is a bit late today.”
“He isn’t busy with school affairs, right? Did the 2nd year class 0 cause an incident again?”
“He usually gives us information at those times…”
Club president and vice club president had worried expressions.
It was not a mood to give a report.
“As I thought, it seems that the School Magazine Editorial Club is causing troubles again.”
Mun Saeron cut in between me and Hwang Jiho and said in a low voice.
“School Magazine Editorial Club?”
“Hwang Jiho, is it also bothering you? Are you curious?”
“Yeah, tell me.”
Did Mun Sareon figure out this incident?
As expected from the Playable Character who dreams of receiving a Pulitzer Prize.
“The School Magazine Editorial Club wants the Newspaper Club to be combined with them or be abolished.”
“….. The Newspaper Club has been here since the Eungwang School was established. At best, barely 10 years have passed since the School Magazine Editorial Club was created.”
I guess Hwang Jiho investigated the record of the Newspaper Club after joining.
“Hwang Jiho, you’re right. Even so, the School Magazine Editorial Club… they are supported by a few directors and graduates, so they have quite a few outside sponsors. And the Newspaper is strangely barely breathing. If teacher Jegal Jaegeol-nim didn’t take on the role of an advisor, it would have already been abolished in the past.”
At Mun Saeron’s words, Hwang Jiho’s eyes shined a bit.
‘… The school was busy with Choe Pyeondeuk’s degenerated establishments case. Thanks to that, it’s a little later than in the game, but I guess things are finally moving.’
School Magazine Editorial Club and Newspaper Club scenario.
It was an event where Jegal Jaegeol was cursed and had to leave Eungwang School.
In the end, that day Jegal Jaegeol didn’t appear in the Newspaper Clubroom.
***
Saturday.
My device was full of new messages.
First, I checked the chatroom with Ju Su-hyeok and Maeng Hyodon.
[Ju Su-hyeok] Uisin, Yunseop was smoking again! Here is photo evidence.
I saw Ju Su-hyeok selfie with Bang Yuseop behind him holding a dead cigarette in his hand and crouching under a wall.
Bang Yunseop was put in one frame with the handsome Ju Su-hyeok, so he looked even more disgraceful than usual.
‘Today is probably the day when Bang Yunseop got into an argument with some thugs and was rescued by Ju Su-hyeok.’
[Ju Su-hyeok] Yunseop was caught in an argument with some weird people. I went to rescue him and then saw Yunseop holding a cigarette in his fingers heh
My Bread Shuttle Bang Yunseop had grown!
He didn’t start a fight first, but got caught in it!
But it seems that’s all the results we got.
As he was caught smoking all the same.
It’s good I got Bang Yunseop’s bank account number.
[Me] I deposited the bread fee on Bang Yunseop’s account. You can use it to order bread from him. From some far away bakery.
[Ju Su-hyeok] Will a 10km run be okay?
[Me] Yeah, it’s the weekend, so he can run more.
[Ju Su-hyeok] Ok!
[Maeng Hyodon] When will this idiot come to his senses? He got caught by me two times not so long ago.
[Ju Su-hyeok] Including this time, it’s three times for me… However, no matter how right it is, an idiot is a bit of a too extreme expression, Hyodon haha
[Maeng Hyodon] Ah, Ju Su-hyeok is such a nobleman[3]!
No, even the nobleman Ju Su-hyeok didn’t care at all and in the end admitted that Bang Yunseop is an idiot.
Then, there was a chatroom with Jang Namuk and Yu Sang-hun.
[Jang Namuk] Uisin, are you really not coming?
[Yu Sang-hun] it’s ok even late.
[Me] Sr busy.
[Yu Sang-hun] are you pretending to be busy? are you doing smt again?
[Jang Namuk] What doing something again? Uisin, what will you be doing again? Whether you’re a Player or not, you shouldn’t do anything dangerous.
I ignored Jang Namuk’s continuous nagging and closed the chatroom.
Today was the day when the Eungwang School and Military Academy’s 1st year Basketball Club members will gather.
They planned to borrow an entire basketball court and play basketball for the entire day.
‘It seems they are thinking of doing an official school exchange later.’
With Yu Sang-hun’s secret wide connections and recommendations of the Military Academy’s first place, Tao Sihu, even guys who weren’t in the Basketball Club came.
Even Jang Namuk, who wasn’t in the Basketball Club, was dragged in.
In the end, twenty people gathered, so they planned to divide into two teams and play at the same time.
‘How was Jang Namuk coaxed into this before mid-term exams? He is not a guy who plays basketball. Jang Namuk doesn’t even have an interest in basketball. Doesn’t he like baseball more?’
I had no idea how Yu Sang-hun and Tao Sihu caught Jang Namuk that he even sent me a message to play basketball a few times.
Jang Namuk was also a simple guy.
‘There is not much time remaining to the mid-term exams, but to make a basketball promise… They have a lot of time to spare, huh?’
Though I also wasn’t studying.
In reality, I was far away from the most prestigious highschool of the Korean Peninsula.
But I couldn’t say that I was going to the chairman Hwang Myeong-ho’s mansion.
‘I have to catch them today.’
Today the 12 Zodiac Alliance meeting was held.
*~*~*
[1] Hwang Jiho, you’re creepy — raws used a word which would simply mean: ‘bad’ normally. In those circumstances, Han Yi could also mean ‘offending’, ‘frustrating’, ‘the worst’… ‘disgusting’?
[2] have a wide feet and bright ears — have a wide feet means to have a lot of connections, bright ears means to be good at gathering information.
[3] noble-man — ‘seonbi’ in raws, in the simplest of concepts it would be a scholar, but these days it’s used as a word to describe someone who is very austere…
Translator’s note: I confess. I needed to check DnD damage types for this one.
Leave a Reply